Photography comes first
Custom-made wildlife, nature and bird photography journeys, designed by photographers for photographers.
It's the difference between a trip where you can take photos and one built so you come home with the photos.
Every itinerary is planned around light, subject behavior and shooting time, not sightseeing checklists.
Your tour is only for you, your partner or your group. No strangers, no compromises on time at the subject.
Tell us your target species, techniques, dates and pace. We build the route, lodges and schedule around them.
A local company in San José since 2018. We know the guides, the lodges and the seasons first-hand.
Physis is not a general tour operator that added cameras. We are a Costa Rican company built only for photographers, with our own network of guides, lodges and photography locations across the country.
| Physis | Standard tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Who designs it | Photographers | Travel agents |
| Your group | Private, only your party | Shared with strangers |
| Daily schedule | Built around light and wildlife behavior | Fixed sightseeing timetable |
| Lodging | Certified for photographic access, early breakfasts and gear-friendly spaces | Chosen for popularity or price |
| Field sessions | Hides, feeders, multi-flash, macro and night photography | General nature walks |
| Local knowledge | Costa Rican team and a nationwide network of specialists | Often planned from abroad |
Multi-flash hummingbirds, night bat photography, macro frogs and snakes, private hides and boats positioned for the light.
Drivers who know how to protect camera gear, breakfast before the best light and routes planned by season, weather and species behavior.
Field practices that respect wildlife and local communities, aligned with international guidelines. The animal always comes before the shot.
Traveling with someone who doesn't photograph? They enjoy comfortable lodges and nature experiences while you shoot.
From your first long lens to a professional portfolio, we set up the conditions and the coaching for the shots you're after.
Your day follows the light and the animals, not a sightseeing timetable.
Set up in a hide or on the lodge deck while the forest wakes up.
Birds at feeders and fruiting trees in soft, low-angle light.
Check your files, adjust settings and plan the afternoon.
Macro in the shade, rest or travel to the next lodge.
Multi-flash hummingbirds, forest trails or a boat session.
Frogs, snakes and bats with flash, led by a local specialist.
Times shift with each destination, season and travel style. Every itinerary is built around your target species.
Every Physis journey is private, custom-made and photography-first. The travel style only decides how it's delivered on the ground: who travels with you and how you move.
The most personal style. Andy, founder and professional photographer, is your tour leader and field partner from the first day to the last. Also the choice of tour leaders bringing their own clients.
Ask about The Founder's EditionBuilt around biodiversity and multiple ecosystems. For bird and wildlife photographers who want help spotting cryptic species and learning the biology behind the image.
Ask about The Wildlife ExpeditionComfortable, easy and efficient. No maps, no Costa Rican traffic, no parking stress, just arrive and photograph.
Ask about The Relaxed ExplorerYou drive at your own pace. We design the route, lodging and photography plan, timed for light and species, not sightseeing.
Ask about The Independent AdventureYou focus on photography. We take care of everything from the airport to the last shot.
Your itinerary is designed around your target subjects, techniques, season and travel style.
Wildlife guides and specialists from our nationwide network do the field work, even on self-drive trips, so you're in position when the animal and the light appear.
Every lodge is Physis-certified for location, photographic access, local knowledge, comfort and food, and conservation.
Sarapiquí, Boca Tapada, Caño Negro, Bijagua, Monteverde, Tortuguero, San Gerardo de Dota, Arenal, Turrialba, Cachí–Orosi, Tárcoles River and San Ramón de Alajuela.
Andy is a professional photographer and tour leader, with a technical degree in digital photography and more than 20 years in Costa Rica's travel industry, including some 15 years as co-owner of a high-end tour operator. He personally designs every Physis itinerary.
He founded Physis in 2018 for one reason: the moment a Resplendent Quetzal or a red-eyed tree frog fills the viewfinder. Physis exists to give every photographer the best possible chance at that moment.
Member of ASMP, PSA, PPA, SINWP and NANPA.
Through The Founder's Edition, Physis works as your photography-first operating partner for groups of 6 to 10, with net pricing. You lead your clients; we handle lodges, guides and logistics.
"A tailor made experience that far exceeded our expectations."
"We returned home with many thousands of photographs, some of them truly spectacular."
"Superb custom-made photographic tour of Costa Rica."
"Photographing not one, but four species of toucans!"
Yes. Every Physis tour is private and custom-made for you, your partner or your own group. You never share the trip with strangers.
Yes. Because every tour is private, your partner enjoys comfortable lodging and nature experiences while you focus on photography.
Yes. We follow strict ethical policies that respect wildlife and local communities and align with international guidelines.
Any level. We plan the setups and coaching around your experience, whether you're learning your camera or refining a portfolio.
Choose The Founder's Edition to travel with Andy, The Wildlife Expedition to work with a naturalist guide, The Relaxed Explorer to travel with a private driver, or The Independent Adventure to self-drive on a route we design for you.
Our tours are all-in-one: itinerary design, certified lodging, private transport, local guides, photography access and park fees. International flights are not included.
Yes. We work with international tour leaders as their local ground operator for groups of 6 to 10 photographers.
No honest operator can guarantee wildlife. What we do is maximize your chances by choosing the right season, locations, lodges and local specialists for each target species.
Rain is part of the rainforest, and many species become more active right after it. Schedules stay flexible, and many of our lodges have covered decks and hides so you can keep shooting.
Bring rain covers, dry bags and silica gel, and let your camera adjust to outdoor temperature before shooting to avoid fogged lenses. Our drivers know how to handle and protect camera gear.
Small domestic planes have strict baggage limits. When your gear exceeds them, we plan the route by road or advise you on extra baggage.
Tripods are welcome in most locations, and we confirm the rules for each site. Drones must be registered with Costa Rica's civil aviation authority, and flying in national parks and protected areas requires special permits, so please ask us first.
Yes. Costa Rica uses 110 V with US-style plugs. If a remote lodge has limited power hours, we let you know in advance.
A telephoto lens in the 400–600 mm range for birds and wildlife, plus macro and flash if you want night and frog photography. You receive a gear list matched to your itinerary.
Tell us what you want to photograph, when you can travel and your preferred travel style. We'll design an itinerary around it.